Launch of the "Young Nobel" campaign for the youngest scientists

The campaign will include more than 200 educational projects. In addition, from October to December eight educational picnics will be held, during which volunteers will visit more than 1,200 children from Podkarpacie region.

"+Młody Nobel+ campaign aims to popularize science among children and adolescents. This year's edition has been enhanced with two new initiatives: a nationwide video contest and science picnics, which will allow us to reach nearly 500 Polish schools" - said Piotr Sudoł, the president of Ignacy Łukaszewicz PGNiG Foundation.

Students, who will teach classes, will show that science can be fascinating. Using Lego robots they will explain the principles of mechatronics, robotics and programming. During the IT course, children will learn to create their own special effects. The forensics workshop will allow children to take fingerprints and mouth prints, and learn about the chemical reactions and principles of physics, which help police to catch criminals every day.

"The opportunity to transfer knowledge in the field of forensic science is an amazing fun. The kids learn through play, and the sight of groups of small detectives on the trail is priceless!" - said Piotr Karlik, Ph.D student at the Faculty of Law and Administration in Poznań, for two years affiliated with the "PROJECTOR - student volunteer" programme.

Tomasz Deptuła, Ph.D student in chemistry at the Polish Academy of Sciences, explained that with unconventional teaching methods, interesting subjects and the huge commitment of volunteers, young people gain the opportunity to develop interests and broaden their horizons. "We teach curiosity, we encourage to explore and gain new experiences. Even for few year olds chemistry can really be a great adventure" - assured Deptuła.

According to Anna Wilińska, coordinator of special projects in the framework of the "PROJEKTOR", student's visit is often an extremely important event for the child, especially in small and often poor villages. "The student becomes an authority, a role model. He can easily stimulate the desire to learn and curiosity about the world" - said Wilińska.

An additional idea of the organizers on science popularisation among the young is a nationwide film competition open for schools participating in the "PROJECTOR - student volunteer" programme.

The subject of the submitted film should be inspired by science and relate to one of the selected fields - mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, mechatronics, computer science, ecology, or geography. It can be recorded with an amateur camera or a mobile phone. Submitted videos will be posted on the contest page, and then put to a vote of Internet users.

The winners will receive attractive prizes, including a class trip with a total value of PLN 5 thousand, as well as PSPs, iPods, digital photo frames, mp3 players, dance mats, and backpacks.

From: PAP